Drinking cup and cover with flow control elements

Abstract

A drinking cup having a body portion and a removably attached cover including an offset drinking spout and an offset vent aperture. The drinking spout and the vent aperture are each surrounded by wall members which depend generally away from an interior surface of the cover. An air inlet flow control valve is coupled to the wall member surrounding the vent aperture while a liquid outlet flow control valve is coupled to the wall member surrounding the spout. Each flow control valve includes a domed elastomeric member containing a slit allowing for passage of a selected fluid therethrough. The domed portions are each surrounded by a generally circular isolating channel, and outside of each isolating channel is a perimetral portion for connecting the flow control valve to the depending wall portion of the cover. Fluids passing through the slits achieve substantially only a one-way passage as the domed curvature substantially prevents any backflow. Vacuum must be applied on the convex side of the domed portion for sufficient elastomeric displacement to allow a fluid to pass through the slit. In the absence of such a vacuum, the sides of the slit are maintained in contiguous contact thereby preventing any transfer of liquid or air across the respective flow control valve. Coupling means are provided for coupling the flow control valves together, and may include handle portions integrally attached to the perimetral portion and including joining means for joining the handle portions together.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A cap for a drinking cup having a body portion capable of holding a fluid, comprising: a cover capable of removable attachment to the body portion and including a top wall defining at least one hole and a vent aperture disposed through the cover, the at least one hole disposed separate from the vent aperture so that when the cover is attached to the body portion, air may enter the body portion through the vent aperture as liquid exits the body portion through the at least one hole;   a first wall member disposed surrounding the vent aperture and mounted to and projecting generally away from an interior surface of the top wall;   a second wall member disposed surrounding the at least one hole and mounted to and projecting generally away from the interior surface;   an air inlet flow control valve mounted to the first wall member, capable of fluid connection with the vent aperture and including an elastomeric first domed portion defining a normally closed first slit therethrough, so that when the cover is attached to the body portion, the first domed portion is capable of movement whereby the first slit opens generally towards the body portion upon occurrence of a pressure differential across the air inlet flow control valve with relatively lower pressure within the drinking cup, and remains closed in the absence of a pressure differential across the air inlet flow control valve and upon occurrence of a pressure differential across the air inlet flow control valve with relatively higher pressure within the drinking cup; and   a liquid outlet flow control valve mounted to the second wall member, capable of fluid connection with the at least one hole and including an elastomeric second domed portion defining a second slit therethrough, so that when the cover is attached to the body portion, the second domed portion is capable of movement whereby the second slit opens generally away from the body portion upon occurrence of a pressure differential across the liquid outlet flow control valve with relatively higher pressure within the covered drinking cup, and remains closed in the absence of a pressure differential across the liquid outlet flow control valve and upon occurrence of a pressure differential across the liquid outlet flow control valve with relatively lower pressure within the covered drinking cup.   
     
     
       2. A cap for a drinking cup as defined in claim 1, wherein the top wall includes a spout disposed generally opposing the interior surface and having a distal end defining the at least one hole. 
     
     
       3. A cap for a drinking cup as defined in claim 1, further comprising coupling means for coupling the air inlet flow control valve to the liquid outlet flow control valve. 
     
     
       4. A cap for a drinking cup as defined in claim 3, wherein the coupling means includes a generally planar attachment member having a graspable projecting portion, the attachment member attached between the air inlet flow control valve and the liquid outlet flow control valve so that a plane defined by the attachment member is generally normal to the interior surface of the top wall and the projecting portion projects generally away from the interior surface and facilitates removal of the air inlet flow control valve from the first wall member and the liquid outlet flow control valve from the second wall member. 
     
     
       5. A cap for a drinking cup as defined in claim 3, wherein the coupling means includes a diaphragm mounted to the air inlet flow control valve and the liquid outlet flow control valve and defining an outer edge capable of providing a seal between the body portion and the cover when the cover is attached to the body portion. 
     
     
       6. A cap for a drinking cup as defined in claim 3, wherein the coupling means includes: a diaphragm mounted to the air inlet flow control valve and the liquid outlet flow control valve and defining an outer edge capable of providing a seal between the body portion and the cover when the cover is attached to the body portion; and   a graspable tab attached to the diaphragm to project generally away from the interior surface, facilitating removal of the air inlet flow control valve from the first wall member and the liquid outlet flow control valve from the second wall member.   
     
     
       7. A cap for a drinking cup as defined in claim 3 wherein the coupling means includes a first handle portion mounted to the air inlet flow control valve to facilitate the removal of the air inlet flow control valve from the first wall member, and a second handle portion mounted to the liquid outlet flow control valve to facilitate the removal of the liquid outlet flow control valve from the second wall member. 
     
     
       8. A cap for a drinking cup as defined in claim 7, wherein the coupling means includes a joining means for joining the first handle portion to the second handle portion. 
     
     
       9. A cap for a drinking cup as defined in claim 1 wherein: the air inlet flow control valve further defines a first isolating channel disposed at least partially surrounding the first domed portion for enhancing elastomeric movement of the first domed portion upon occurrence of a pressure differential across the air inlet flow control valve with relatively lower pressure proximate to the interior surface of the top wall; and   the liquid outlet flow control valve further defines a second isolating channel disposed at least partially surrounding the second domed portion for enhancing elastomeric movement of the second domed portion upon occurrence of a pressure differential across the liquid outlet flow control valve with relatively higher pressure proximate to the interior surface of the top wall.   
     
     
       10. A cap for a drinking cup as defined in claim 9, wherein the first and second isolating channels are generally circular and a diameter defined by the first isolating channel is less than a diameter defined by the second isolating channel. 
     
     
       11. A cap for a drinking cup as defined in claim 9, wherein: the first and second isolating channels are generally circular;   a diameter defined by the first isolating channel is less than twice a radius defined by the first domed portion, whereby the first domed portion forms a portion of a hemisphere; and   a diameter defined by the second isolating channel is less than twice a radius defined by the second domed portion, whereby the second domed portion forms a portion of a hemisphere.   
     
     
       12. A cap for a drinking cup as defined in claim 11, wherein the first isolating channel is disposed to project generally oppositely from the first wall and the second isolating channel is disposed generally confronting the second wall. 
     
     
       13. A cap for a drinking cup having a body portion capable of holding a fluid, comprising: a cover capable of removable attachment to the body portion and including a top wall defining at least one hole and a vent aperture disposed through the cover, the at least one hole disposed separate from the vent aperture so that when the cover is attached to the body portion, air may enter the body portion through the vent aperture as liquid exits the body portion through the at least one hole;   a first wall member disposed surrounding the vent aperture and mounted to and projecting generally away from an interior surface of the top wall;   a second wall member disposed surrounding the at least one hole and mounted to and projecting generally away from the interior surface;   an air inlet flow control valve mounted to the first wall member, capable of fluid connection with the vent aperture and including an elastomeric first domed portion defining a normally closed first slit therethrough and defining a generally circular first isolating channel disposed at least partially surrounding the first domed portion, so that when the cover is attached to the body portion, the first domed portion is capable of movement whereby the first slit opens generally towards the body portion upon occurrence of a pressure differential across the air inlet flow control valve with relatively lower pressure within the drinking cup, and remains closed in the absence of a pressure differential across the air inlet flow control valve and upon occurrence of a pressure differential across the air inlet flow control valve with relatively higher pressure within the drinking cup;   a liquid outlet flow control valve mounted to the second wall member, capable of fluid connection with the at least one hole and including an elastomeric second domed portion defining a second slit therethrough and defining a generally circular second isolating channel disposed at least partially surrounding the second domed portion, so that when the cover is attached to the body portion, the second domed portion is capable of movement whereby the second slit opens generally away from the body portion upon occurrence of a pressure differential across the liquid outlet flow control valve with relatively higher pressure within the covered drinking cup, and remains closed in the absence of a pressure differential across the liquid outlet flow control valve and upon occurrence of a pressure differential across the liquid outlet flow control valve with relatively lower pressure within the covered drinking cup; and   coupling means for coupling together the air inlet flow control valve and the liquid outlet flow control valve.   
     
     
       14. A cap for a drinking cup as defined in claim 13, wherein: the coupling means includes a generally planar attachment member having a graspable projecting portion, the attachment member attached between the air inlet flow control valve and the liquid outlet flow control valve so that a plane defined by the attachment member is generally normal to the interior surface of the top wall and the projecting portion projects generally away from the interior surface and facilitates removal of the air inlet flow control valve from the first wall member and the liquid outlet flow control valve from the second wall member;   a diameter defined by the first isolating channel is less than twice a radius defined by the first domed portion, whereby the first domed portion forms a portion of a hemisphere; and   a diameter defined by the second isolating channel is less than twice a radius defined by the second domed portion, whereby the second domed portion forms a portion of a hemisphere.   
     
     
       15. A covered drinking cup comprising: a body portion capable of holding a fluid;   a cover removably attached to the body portion and including a top wall defining at least one hole and a vent aperture disposed through the cover, the at least one hole disposed separate from the vent aperture whereby air may enter the body portion through the vent aperture as liquid exits the body portion through the at least one hole;   a first wall member disposed surrounding the vent aperture and mounted to and projecting generally away from an interior surface of the top wall;   a second wall member disposed surrounding the at least one hole and mounted to and projecting generally away from the interior surface;   an air inlet flow control valve mounted to the first wall member, capable of fluid connection with the vent aperture and including an elastomeric first domed portion defining a normally closed first slit therethrough and capable of movement whereby the first slit opens generally towards the body portion upon occurrence of a pressure differential across the air inlet flow control valve with relatively lower pressure within the covered drinking cup, and remains closed in the absence of a pressure differential across the air inlet flow control valve and upon occurrence of a pressure differential across the air inlet flow control valve with relatively higher pressure within the covered drinking cup; and   a liquid outlet flow control valve mounted to the second wall member, capable of fluid connection with the at least one hole and including an elastomeric second domed portion defining a second slit therethrough and capable of movement whereby the second slit opens generally away from the body portion upon occurrence of a pressure differential across the liquid outlet flow control valve with relatively higher pressure within the covered drinking cup, and remains closed in the absence of a pressure differential across the liquid outlet flow control valve and upon occurrence of a pressure differential across the liquid outlet flow control valve with relatively lower pressure within the covered drinking cup.   
     
     
       16. A covered drinking cup as defined in claim 15, wherein the top wall includes a spout disposed to project generally away from the body portion and having a distal end defining the at least one hole. 
     
     
       17. A covered drinking cup as defined in claim 15, further comprising releasable locking engagement means for releasably and lockably engaging the cover with the body portion. 
     
     
       18. A covered drinking cup as defined in claim 15, further comprising coupling means for coupling the air inlet flow control valve to the liquid outlet flow control valve. 
     
     
       19. A covered drinking cup as defined in claim 18, wherein the coupling means includes a diaphragm mounted to the air inlet flow control valve and the liquid outlet flow control valve and defining an outer edge capable of being positioned between an edge defined by the body portion and a lower inner edge defined by the cover to provide a seal between the body portion and the cover. 
     
     
       20. A covered drinking cup as defined in claim 18, wherein the coupling means includes a generally planar attachment member having a graspable projecting portion, the attachment member attached between the air inlet flow control valve and the liquid outlet flow control valve so that a plane defined by the attachment member is generally normal to the interior surface of the top wall and the projecting portion projects generally away from the interior surface and facilitates removal of the air inlet flow control valve from the first wall member and the removal of the liquid outlet flow control valve from the second wall member. 
     
     
       21. A covered drinking cup as defined in claim 18, wherein the coupling means includes: a diaphragm mounted to the air inlet flow control valve and the liquid outlet flow control valve and defining an outer edge capable of providing a seal between the body portion and the cover; and   a graspable tab attached to the diaphragm to project generally away from the interior surface, facilitating removal of the air inlet flow control valve from the first wall member and the liquid outlet flow control valve from the second wall member.   
     
     
       22. A covered drinking cup as defined in claim 18 wherein the coupling means includes a first handle portion mounted to the air inlet flow control valve to facilitate the removal of the air inlet flow control valve from the first wall member, and a second handle portion mounted to the liquid outlet flow control valve to facilitate the removal of the liquid outlet flow control valve from the second wall member. 
     
     
       23. A covered drinking cup as defined in claim 22, wherein the coupling means includes a joining means for joining the first handle portion to the second handle portion. 
     
     
       24. A covered drinking cup as defined in claim 15, wherein: the air inlet flow control valve further defines a first isolating channel disposed at least partially surrounding the first domed portion for enhancing elastomeric movement of the first domed portion upon occurrence of a pressure differential across the air inlet flow control valve with relatively lower pressure within the covered drinking cup; and   the liquid outlet flow control valve further defines a second isolating channel disposed at least partially surrounding the second domed portion for enhancing elastomeric movement of the second domed portion upon occurrence of a pressure differential across the liquid outlet flow control valve with relatively higher pressure within the covered drinking cup.   
     
     
       25. A covered drinking cup as defined in claim 24, wherein the first and second isolating channels are generally circular and a diameter defined by the first isolating channel is less than a diameter defined by the first isolating channel. 
     
     
       26. A covered drinking cup as defined in claim 24, wherein: the first and second isolating channels are generally circular;   a diameter defined by the first isolating channel is less than twice a radius defined by the first domed portion, whereby the first domed portion forms a portion of a hemisphere; and   a diameter defined by the second isolating channel is less than twice a radius defined by the second domed portion, whereby the second domed portion forms a portion of a hemisphere.   
     
     
       27. A covered drinking cup as defined in claim 26, wherein the first isolating channel is disposed to project generally oppositely from the first wall and the second isolating channel is disposed generally confronting the second wall. 
     
     
       28. A covered drinking cup as defined in claim 26, wherein the body portion includes a relatively broad base and a concave sidewall defining a relatively narrow waist portion. 
     
     
       29. Flow control means for use with a cover capable of removable attachment to a body portion of a drinking cup, the cover including a top wall defining at least one hole and a vent aperture disposed through the cover, the at least one hole disposed separate from the vent aperture so that when the cover is attached to the body portion, air may enter the body portion through the vent aperture as liquid exits the body portion through the at least one hole, the flow control means comprising: an air inlet flow control valve including an elastomeric first domed portion having a normally closed first slit therethrough, and means for coupling the air inlet flow control valve to the cover adjacent to the vent aperture;   a liquid outlet flow control valve including an elastomeric second domed portion defining a second slit therethrough, and means for coupling the liquid outlet flow control valve to the cover adjacent to the at least one hole; and   a generally planar attachment member attached between the air inlet flow control valve and the liquid outlet flow control valve.   
     
     
       30. The flow control means of claim 29 wherein the generally planar attachment member comprises a graspable projecting portion, the attachment member lying substantially in a plane defined by the attachment member which is generally normal to the interior surface of the top wall and the projecting portion projects generally away from the interior surface and facilitates uncoupling of the air inlet flow control valve and the liquid outlet flow control valve from the cover. 
     
     
       31. The flow control means of claim 29 wherein the generally planar attachment member comprises a diaphragm having an outer edge capable of providing a seal between the body portion and the cover when the cover is attached to the body portion. 
     
     
       32. The flow control means of claim 29 wherein the generally planar attachment member comprises a graspable tab projecting generally away from the top wall interior surface, facilitating decoupling of the air inlet flow control valve and the liquid outlet flow control valve from the cover. 
     
     
       33. The flow control means of claim 29 wherein: the air inlet flow control valve further defines a first isolating channel disposed at least partially surrounding the first domed portion for enhancing elastomeric movement of the first domed portion upon occurrence of a pressure differential across the air inlet flow control valve with relatively lower pressure proximate to the interior surface of the top wall; and   the liquid outlet flow control valve further defines a second isolating channel disposed at least partially surrounding the second domed portion for enhancing elastomeric movement of the second domed portion upon occurrence of a pressure differential across the liquid outlet flow control valve with relatively higher pressure proximate to the interior surface of the top wall.   
     
     
       34. The flow control means of claim 33, wherein the first and second isolating channels are generally circular and a diameter defined by the first isolating channel is less than a diameter defined by the second isolating channel. 
     
     
       35. The flow control means of claim 33, wherein: the first and second isolating channels are generally circular;   a diameter defined by the first isolating channel is less than twice a radius defined by the first domed portion, whereby the first domed portion forms a portion of a hemisphere; and   a diameter defined by the second isolating channel is less than twice a radius defined by the second domed portion, whereby the second domed portion forms a portion of a hemisphere.   
     
     
       36. The flow control means of claim 33, wherein the first isolating channel is disposed to project generally oppositely from the top wall interior surface and the second isolating channel is disposed generally confronting the top wall interior surface.